The Kiva, Pueblo Bonito

[Malaclypse 666]

"Let me quote from Celine, Doc:"

Seventh Trip, or Netzach (the SNAFU Principle)

The most thoroughly and relentlessly Damned, banned, excluded, condemned, forbidden, ostracized, ignore, suppressed, repressed, robbed, brutalized and defamed of all Damned Things is the individual human being. The social engineers, statistician, psychologist, sociologists, market researchers, landlords, bureaucrats, captains of industry, bankers, governors, commissars, kings and presidents are perpetually forcing this Damned Thing into carefully prepared blueprints and perpetually irritated that the Damned Thing will not fit into the slot assigned it. The theologians call it a sinner and try to reform it. The governor calls it a criminal and tries to punish it. the psychologist calls it a neurotic and tries to cure it. Still, the Damned Thing will not fit into their slots.

"Notice the plural "slots" in the last sentence? We humans are conditioned to process and solve things in a serial fashion, one thing at a time. When multiple issues arise simultaneously, we become anxious that all the "slots" won't get filled. We attempt to prioritze the slots, to determine which of them is in our best interest to "fit" in. For the person who prioritizes with a single point of view, say, self-interest, the process is fairly simple. 'Do that first which gets me the most.'

"You my friend, are burdened with many mantles, all of which must be weighed in deciding which "Master" to acknowledge, placate, and pacify, and in what particular order.

"You have your wonderful family. You have your Hippocratic Oath. You have your responsibilities as Administrator and Ambassador, tasked with the welfare of the TAZ. And, always, you have Eris whispering in your ear, telling you that you've experienced and survived Chapel Perilous many times, and will do so again."

Mal paused as grunts and curses filled the Kiva. He and Doc both began to chuckle, and finally roar at the sight of Gypsie Skripto trying to descend the Kiva's ladder with a full case of Ingolstadt Redeye Bock balanced on his shoulder. The two old friends wiped tears from their eyes as the Acolyte, trying to appear suave, coolered the beer and passed around bottles which condensed instantly in the Kiva's thick atmosphere.

"And then there are times when laughter and a good buzz are the best medicine!

"Kallisti, my friends! Here's to Damned Things!"

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